Flavored Sugars

Flavored Sugars

Makes 2 cups each

Start with 2 cups granulated sugar. For vanilla sugar, split 1 vanilla bean in half and scrape the seeds from the bean into the sugar; then bury the bean in the sugar. For cinnamon sugar, add 1½ tablespoons ground cinnamon and 2 cinnamon sticks. For cardamom sugar, add ¼ cup whole green cardamom pods. (The sugars will stay flavorful in a sealed container for up to 1 year.)

Blueberry-Maple-Cassis Syrup

Blueberry-Maple-Cassis Syrup

In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries, 1 cup maple syrup, and ½ cup crème de cassis to a boil. Continue boiling until syrup begins to thicken, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove syrup from heat and let cool.

To make it gift-worthy: Pour the syrup into a glass bottle with a rubber stopper. Write the above recipe (or a pancake recipe) on paper; then tuck it in a small envelope and secure to the bottle with yarn. (17-ounce bottle, $5.49; containerstore.com. Envelope, $4.75 for 25; paperpresentation.com)